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Dean of Students' Office Announcements
Correction: Health Services Number
Last week, the incorrect number was listed for families to call to report an absence for a day student who is ill. If your day student is ill, please call Health Services at 508.786.6372 to report any absences from School.
Off-Campus Parties and the Massachusetts Social Host Law
We need to inform all families of the Massachusetts Social Host Law and of the School’s expectations around substance use. We are starting to hear rumors of parties being hosted at local off-campus locations, and we know that some parents choose to host parties and allow alcohol to be served to underage students. "Social host liability" is the legal term for the criminal and civil responsibility of a person who furnishes liquor to a guest. We have all heard the horror stories of how good kids made bad decisions, and how well-meaning hosts painfully discovered that the parties they thought were harmless quickly turned into catastrophes. We are asking parents to be aware of the Social Host Law, and the liabilities that may result in civil and criminal charges, as well as the potential consequences to a student’s college admission. We expect students to obey the rules of the School and the laws of the Commonwealth concerning the use of alcohol and drugs, and we continue to expect our parents to support the health and safety of our students in this effort. Thank you!
Flu Immunizations
Please take advantage of the long Family Weekend to complete seasonal flu immunizations for your student. Most pharmacy chains such as Walgreens, CVS, Wegmans, and Hannaford have appointments that are readily available for registration online. COVID-19 vaccine administration may be available at the same appointment, as well. Documentation can be emailed to lesliedowst@stmarksschool.org.
Inter-House Sleepovers and Orah
Students are now able to request a "sleepover" in another House (dorm) on Saturday nights. To do so, students must submit a pink "sleepover" pass on Orah by the preceding Thursday at noon. You may be asked to endorse (approve) a pass if your student asks to sleep over in a friend's House (dorm). Burnett students are also invited to apply for a sleepover request and to spend a Saturday night with a boarding friend. Sleepover requests are reviewed and approved at the discretion of the House Head pending space and availability.
Thanksgiving Break Planning
The November Thanksgiving break is a little over six weeks away. We want to share important dates now so that you can make appropriate plans. Students are free to leave after their last School commitment on Friday, November 17, and must depart by 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 18, at which time residential houses close. Boarding students must return to campus between noon and 7:00 p.m. on Monday, November 27. Classes resume on Tuesday, November 28.
As your family prepares for the break, please keep in mind that St. Mark's does not excuse any early departures or late returns around our major school vacations (Thanksgiving, Winter, or Spring Break). While we understand that travel convenience is a plus during these busy times, and that family engagements are important, we must do all we can to preserve our class and community time. We thank you in advance for referencing the Essential Dates calendar as you plan family travel for the School year. Information about departure times, signing out for the break, and transportation options from campus will be shared in the coming weeks.
Club Fair Today, October 5
Today, we hosted the St. Mark's Club Fair where representatives from a wide range of student clubs staffed tables and were available to answer questions about their respective programs. Our clubs offer students the opportunity to explore passions, examine their identities, learn new skills, and build the experience they want here at St. Mark’s. We encourage students to explore the various club options. Please ask them if they are considering joining any clubs and why they are excited about the options.
Mindfulness for Students
The Wellness Department is offering mindfulness practices during X-block. Mindfulness is the practice of being aware of the present moment. Our students' lives can be hectic with academics, athletics, and extracurriculars. We hope that by offering these mindfulness practices, students will take 15 minutes to focus on themselves and de-stress. X-block is a 20-minute period of time where our students have the opportunity to catch up on some homework, meet with an advisor, or converse with friends. The Wellness Department felt like this was a perfect time to let our students explore voluntary wellness activities.
On Tuesday, we expanded our gratitude offerings. Studies show that getting outside can help lessen moments of stress and anxiety. Any student who wants can meet in the front circle and go for a 15-minute walk where we share in conversation about different gratitude prompts. Mindfulness during X-block on Fridays has a robust following thus far. The Wellness Department offers two different mindfulness practices. We offer Mindfulness Through Music where the students meet in the Forbes Presentation Center and enjoy appropriate music with friends and hopefully share a few laughs. There is also a formal mindfulness session in the crypt where we focus on our breath and bring ourselves to attention with our thoughts and feelings.
Programming During the Upcoming Long Weekends
We know that many students are planning to leave campus for all or part of the upcoming long weekends (October 7—9 and October 14—17). We also know that many of our students will remain on campus. There will be a range of programming offered by St. Mark’s during these long weekends just like any other weekend. Many of these opportunities will allow students to get off campus and explore the local area. We will also encourage students to rest, relax, rejuvenate, and use this time to get ahead on any academic work for the coming weeks.
Weekend Activities
Want to know what's happening this weekend? For on-campus events and trips to off-campus locations, check out the Weekend Activities Google Doc.
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